The day we learned of Anne Stillman’s passing and after weeks of uncommonly dry weather, the skies opened up and sent down rain with gentle urgency. Even through the gray and wet, though, it was clear this rain had a larger purpose: to follow through on spring’s promise of continuity and rebirth. The comforting drumming on the rooftop of The Meeting House reminded us that while nature twists and turns all around our human drama, the rain will always come again, the sun will rise and fall, and life will go on – even as we struggle to let go of lives that have become intertwined with our own.
It was a good rain. Replenishing, refreshing. And the plants, trees, and earth soaked it up with gratitude. Just as those of us who were lucky to be in Anne Stillman’s presence, soaked up her wisdom and the humility through which she delivered it. I speak for many in this community when I say that we are tremendously grateful for the calm dedication Anne carried through everything she did. While I have come to accept that I will never see her here again, Anne’s impact is evident throughout these historic properties tucked between Milton Road and the Blind Brook Estuary in Rye, New York. Every birdsong celebrates her devotion to historic and ecological preservation, both at The Jay Heritage Center and here. Every tidal change reminds us of Anne’s resiliency in the face of civilization’s relentless intrusion on the past. And every blade of grass reflects the hope she had for the community, especially the children who will soon benefit from the realization of her vision.
Starting in 2008, Anne led The Committee to Save the Bird Homestead all-volunteer board of trustees in the discovery and restoration of the rich human history of the Rye residents who came before us. First, in working with the city, county, and state to purchase the Bird Homestead – a cluster of 19th-century buildings on the banks of Blind Brook. Since the early 1800s, the modest Greek Revival house has conveyed the spirit of homestead living, as it nurtured the lives and careers of the extraordinary Bird family, who embarked on adventures in science, nature, art, and education that traversed thousands of miles, delved millions of years back in time, rewrote the history books, and positively transformed countless lives.
A few years later, the Friends of the Rye Meeting House reached out to Anne to see if our group would be willing to step in and finish what they had started. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Meeting House on Milton Road was integral to the life of the surrounding village. Initially a one-room schoolhouse, it was moved to its present location in 1867. It was soon transformed into an Episcopal chapel and the south addition housed a reading room and circulating library. In 1959, it became a Meeting House for the Religious Society of Friends. Anne encouraged us to embrace this expanded mission and, as usual, we faithfully followed along. Our nonprofit organization was soon renamed the Bird Homestead and Meeting House Conservancy.
Nestled between these two properties, the original foundations remain of three 19th-century buildings. Two of the buildings belonged to William Voris, an African American saloonkeeper who owned and operated this land beginning in 1841. It was unusual and therefore, historically significant, for African Americans to own property before the Civil War, especially with the financial success achieved by Mr. Voris and his family.
Over the years, the Bird Homestead and Meeting House Conservancy has hosted many events, educational films, and lectures on climate change, homesteading, women’s suffrage, and hidden black history. Until Covid arrived, our Children’s Gardening Program introduced the Carver Center Kids to their first taste of homesteading. In fact, under Anne’s leadership, the past 15 years have seen concerts, Harvest Days, butterflies, and dinosaur bones, bird-watching walks, photography exhibits, and, of course, historical tours. All these activities will be continued in her memory and free to the community, as they have been in the past.
Through Anne’s tireless work, we received many grants to supplement the generosity of our community as we marched along toward realizing our mission to transform these properties into a center for education. Inspired by the impressive Rye residents who lived here before us, the curriculum is designed to inspire, foster, and promote an appreciation of science, art, historical preservation, sustainability, and the proud legacy of William Voris and the Bird family.
Our hope now is that you will want to become part of bringing our collective vision to life in tribute to our beloved friend and, also, in support of this incredible community we live in together. There are many ways you can be part of this mission, through financial donations, volunteer projects, or just simply signing up for our email list so we can share our progress.
Don’t hesitate to connect with us by phone, 917-371-1221, or email, savethebird@icloud.com.
Donations in Anne Stillman’s honor can be made to The Committee to Save the Bird Homestead, 624 Milton Road, Rye, NY 10580.
The author is a trustee of The Bird Homestead and Meeting House Conservancy.